Uterine Sealer

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure relates to a device for use with an operating end of a uterine manipulator for sealing tissue that includes a shaft having a handle at an operating end thereof and a ring-like snare at a distal end thereof. The handle has an actuator operable to selectively cinch the snare from a first configuration to a second configuration. An electrode is operably coupled to the snare and is connected to an energy source to energize tissue to create a tissue seal. The shaft is positionable within a surgical cavity such that the snare encircles tissue and operably engages and cinches the operating end of the uterine manipulator under a sealing pressure. Energy is applied to the electrode to seal the tissue disposed between the uterine manipulator and the snare under a working pressure. The tissue may then be resected and removed from the body.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 12/352,931 filed on Jan. 13, 2009, now U.S. Patent No. ______, which claims the benefit of, and priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/021,582 filed Jan. 16, 2008, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present disclosure relates to medical instrumentation, and more particularly to a device for use with a uterine manipulator to facilitate laparoscopically sealing and resecting cervical and uterine tissue.

2. State of the Art

Typically a uterine manipulator is currently deemed necessary by practitioners for many laparoscopic procedures involving the female pelvic organs (e.g., uterus, tubes, ovaries, etc.) as surgery without a uterine manipulator may be more time consuming. For example, laparoscopies in which a uterine manipulator has substantial utility include: tubal ligations; diagnostic laparoscopies for evaluating pelvic pain and infertility; treatment of endometriosis, removal of pelvic scars (adhesions) involving the uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries; treatment of ectopic pregnancy; removal of uterine fibroids; removal of ovarian cysts; removal of ovaries; tubal repair; laparoscopic hysterectomy, laparoscopic repair of pelvic bowel or bladder; sampling of pelvic lymph nodes; “tying up” the bladder to prevent urine loss; and biopsy of pelvic masses.

Most state of the art manipulators are semi-rigid instruments having a manipulating handle that is grasped outside the vagina and a working end which operatively engages one or more organs in the uterus. Exposure of the vital regions of the pelvis is difficult and surgery with open or laparoscopic instruments is often difficult and, in some cases, suboptimal. For example, the uterus typically can only be safely elevated about 45 degrees from the vaginal axis, or lowered 10-15 degrees from the same and movement to the right or left is minimal, at most, due to the pelvic bones. Once the uterine organ is in place, the surgeon can perform one of the above mentioned surgical procedures.

One of the most significant complications of any surgical procedure involving the uterus, e.g., partial or complete hysterectomy, is the risk of persistent and excessive bleeding due to the large blood supply in the pelvic region and blood-laden organs. For example, the open technique carries increased risk of hemorrhage due to the need to move the intestinal organs and bladder in order to reach the reproductive organs and to search for collateral damage from endometriosis or cancer. However, an open hysterectomy provides the most effective way to ensure complete removal of the reproductive system as well as providing a wide opening for visual inspection of the abdominal cavity.

Some hysterectomies are done through the manipulation of the cervix and/or uterus utilizing a uterine manipulator and resection of the cervix (total hysterectomy) or uterus (supracervical) utilizing one or more laparoscopic instruments inserted through the navel (or other body access made with a trocar). Even though these techniques tend to reduce the recovery time in most instances, there remains the risk of excessive and persistent bleeding which in this instance is not easily controlled due to the blood-laden nature of the cervix and the remote nature of the laparoscopy. As a result, if excessive bleeding does occur, the surgeon may need to convert the procedure to an open procedure to control the bleeding essentially abandoning the benefits of the laparoscopic procedure.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure relates to a device for use with an operating end of a uterine manipulator for sealing uterine tissue and includes a shaft having a handle at an operating end thereof and a ring-like snare at a distal end thereof. The handle includes an actuator operable to selectively cinch the ring-like snare from a first configuration having a first diameter to at least one subsequent configuration having a second diameter. An electrode is operably coupled to an inner peripheral surface of the ring-like snare and is adapted to connect to an electrical energy source to energize uterine tissue to create a tissue seal. The shaft is selectively positionable within a surgical cavity such that the ring-like snare encircles uterine tissue and operably engages and cinches the operating end of the uterine manipulator under a sealing pressure. Electrosurgical energy is applied to the electrode to seal the uterine tissue disposed between the uterine manipulator and the ring-like snare.

In one embodiment according to the present disclosure, the electrode is further energized after the successful completion of the tissue seal to resect/or cut the uterine tissue along the tissue seal. In another embodiment, the device includes a second electrode that is adapted to connect to the electrical energy source, the second electrode is energized after the successful completion of the tissue seal to resect the tissue along the tissue seal.

In still another embodiment, the electrode is recessed within an inner peripheral surface of the ring-like snare and includes a cutting edge that deploys when the ring-like snare is cinched beyond a predetermined sealing pressure of about 16 kg/cm̂2.

The present disclosure also relates to a method for performing a laparoscopic hysterectomy and includes the initial step of providing a uterine manipulator having a shaft having a handle at a proximal end thereof operable by a user and an operating end at a distal end thereof manipulatable by the handle to orient and position tissue. The method also includes the step of providing a uterine sealer having a shaft with a handle disposed at a proximal end thereof and a ring-like snare disposed at a distal end thereof having a diameter. The handle includes an actuator operably associated therewith which selectively cinches and expands the diameter of the snare. The uterine manipulator and/or the uterine sealer includes an electrode disposed at the distal end thereof.

The method also includes the steps of: inserting the uterine manipulator into a body cavity to engage and manipulate tissue; inserting the uterine sealer into a second body cavity to encircle the tissue being manipulated by the uterine manipulator; activating the actuator to cinch the diameter of the snare to engage tissue between the operating end of the uterine manipulator and the snare; energizing the electrode to seal tissue disposed between the operating end of the uterine manipulator and the snare; and resecting the tissue along the tissue seal and removing the resected tissue from the body cavity.

In one embodiment according to one particular method, the tissue is engaged between the operating end of the uterine manipulator and the snare under a working pressure of about 3 kg/cm̂2 to about 16 kg/cm̂2. In one method, the uterine sealer includes the electrode that cooperates with a return electrode located remotely from the operating cavities to seal tissue while in another method both the uterine sealer and the uterine manipulator include electrodes which mutually cooperate in a bipolar fashion to seal tissue.

The method may additionally or alternatively include the step of further manipulating the uterine sealer and/or uterine manipulator to resect tissue along the tissue seal by energizing a cutting electrode disposed on the uterine sealer and/or uterine manipulator. The cutting electrode and the sealing electrode disposed on the uterine sealer (or the uterine manipulator) may be one in the same.

The method may additionally or alternatively include the step of further manipulating the uterine sealer and/or uterine manipulator to resect tissue along the tissue seal by mechanically deploying a tissue cutter to resect tissue along the tissue seal.

The present disclosure also relates to a method for performing a laparoscopic hysterectomy including the steps of:

providing a uterine manipulator having a shaft including a handle at a proximal end thereof operable by a user and an operating end at a distal end thereof manipulatable by the handle to orient and position tissue;

providing a uterine sealer including a shaft having a handle disposed at a proximal end thereof and a ring-like snare disposed at a distal end thereof having a diameter, the handle including an actuator operably associated therewith which selectively cinches and expands the diameter of the snare, the uterine sealer including an electrode disposed at the distal end thereof, the electrode including a sharpened edge;

inserting the uterine manipulator into a body cavity to engage and manipulate tissue;

inserting the uterine sealer into a second body cavity to encircle the tissue being manipulated by the uterine manipulator;

activating the actuator to cinch the diameter of the snare to engage tissue between the operating end of the uterine manipulator and the snare under a sealing pressure;

energizing the electrode to seal tissue disposed between the operating end of the uterine manipulator and the snare;

further cinching the diameter of the snare beyond the sealing pressure to deploy the sharpened edge of the electrode to resect tissue; and

removing the resected tissue from the body cavity.

In one particular method, the uterine sealer of the providing step includes an inner peripheral surface that includes the electrode recessed therein. The electrode is selectively deployable beyond the inner peripheral surface to resect tissue when the cinching pressure of the snare on the tissue is beyond the sealing pressure of about 16 kg/cm̂2. The electrode may be energized during the step of further cinching the snare to facilitate resecting the tissue.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various particular embodiments of the presently disclosed systems, devices and methods are disclosed herein with reference to the drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a uterine sealer having a ring-like operative end according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a uterine manipulator for use with the uterine sealer of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3A-3E are internal schematic illustrations of the uterine sealer and uterine manipulator being used to perform a laparoscopic hysterectomy;

FIG. 4A is a schematic view of another embodiment of a uterine sealer according to the present disclosure having a mechanical cutting blade internally disposed within the inner peripheral surface of the ring-like operative end;

FIG. 4B is an enlarged view of the area of detail of FIG. 4A;

FIG. 4C is a side, cross-sectional view of the ring-like operative end prior to advancement of the cutting blade through the inner peripheral surface thereof;

FIG. 4D is a side cross-sectional view of the ring-like operative end after advancement of the cutting blade through the inner peripheral surface thereof; and

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of another embodiment of a uterine sealer according to the present disclosure configured to include an electrical sealing and cutting electrode disposed on the face of the inner peripheral surface of the ring-like operative end.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring initially to FIG. 1, one embodiment of a uterine sealer is shown and is generally designated as sealer 10. Sealer 10 includes a generally elongated shaft 12 having proximal and distal ends 14 and 16, respectively. The distal end 16 of the shaft 12 is configured to support a loop-like or ring-like snare or cinch 20 and the proximal end 14 of the shaft 12 is operatively coupled to a handle 30. The shaft 12 may be pliable or semi-rigid to facilitate positioning of the sealer 10 within an operating cavity 80 (See FIG. 3B). More particularly, the shaft 12 may be selectively bendable, rotatable, articulatable or otherwise positionable to orient the ring-like snare 20 about a target organ, e.g., cervix 320 (See FIGS. 3A-3E). Shaft 12 may also be telescopic (not shown), which may prove particular useful for certain surgical purposes. In view thereof, handle 30 may be configured to include one or more actuators (not shown) that are actuatable to orient the ring-like snare 20 relative to a target organ for ensnarement, as will be explained in more detail below with reference to FIGS. 3A-3E.

Handle 30 also includes an actuator 40 that operatively couples to a control cable 25 internally disposed within shaft 12 and ring-like snare 20. Actuator 40 is configured to reciprocate cable 25 from a first position wherein the cable 25 expands the ring-like snare 20 to a fully open configuration (as shown) to a subsequent or second position that reduces the diameter of the snare 20 such that an inner peripheral surface 22 of the snare 20 grasps and encircles target tissue (See FIG. 3C). Actuator 40 may be configured as a pull knob (as shown) which biases against handle 30 to reciprocate cable 25 or any other suitable type of actuator that is designed to reciprocate a cable 25, e.g., a lever-like actuator, a rotational actuator, an electrical or mechanical winch-like actuator, etc.

As described in detail below with reference to FIGS. 3A-3E, the cable 25 may be configured to act as an electrode and coupled to an electrosurgical energy source, such as an electrical generator 500. In this configuration, the cable 25 may conduct a sealing current therethrough that acts as one pole of a bipolar or monopolar sealing system. Moreover, and again as explained in more detail below, the cable 25 may also operatively communicate with the generator 500 to generate a cutting current to resect the target tissue once sealed. In another embodiment, the cable 25 is configured as a mechanical cutter to resect tissue once the seal is completed, as discussed below with reference to FIGS. 4A-4D.

FIG. 2 shows one embodiment of a uterine manipulator 100 for use in manipulating and positioning the organs of the uterus “U” and tissue for surgical purposes, e.g., tubal ligations; removal or partial removal of the uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries; laparoscopic hysterectomy and other surgeries. Uterine manipulator 100 includes a generally elongated shaft 112 having proximal and distal ends 114 and 116, respectively, and a selectively expandable ring or cuff 120 disposed at the distal end 116 having an outer peripheral surface 124 that is configured to engage tissue for manipulation purposes. Shaft 112 may include one or more hinges 118 configured to allow rotation, pivoting or articulation of the shaft 112 for manipulation purposes.

The proximal end 114 of the shaft 112 includes a handle 130 that allows a user to orient the manipulator 100 within a vaginal cavity 310 (see FIG. 3A) to position and reposition tissue as needed during the surgical procedure. Handle 130 may be equipped with one or more actuators 135 that facilitate rotation, articulation and/or positioning of the manipulator 100 within the vaginal and cervical cavities 310 and 322, respectively. The manipulator may be inserted within other cavities depending upon particular surgical purposes or to manipulate other organs, e.g., anal cavity 315. Moreover, the actuator 135 may further facilitate positioning of the manipulator 100 to operatively engage the sealer 10 as described in more detail below.

As mentioned above, the distal end 116 of shaft 112 includes a cuff of ring 120 that is selectively expandable from a first, collapsed configuration for insertion purposes to a second expanded configuration (See FIG. 2) for engaging and manipulating tissue. The distal end 116 includes a series of finger-like projections 115 a-115 c that support the cuff 120 for manipulation purposes. Handle 130 may be configured to rotate in the direction of arrow “R” from a first position that maintains the cuff 120 in a collapsed configuration to a second configuration that expands the cuff 120 in the expanded configuration “E” (and vice versa) for manipulation and sealing purposes (See FIG. 3C). The handle 130 may also be configured to lock the cuff 120 in an expanded configuration with enough force to oppose an electrode, e.g., electrode 25 of the uterine sealer 10, for sealing and cutting tissue, as explained in more detail below. An inner peripheral surface 122 of the cuff 120 may be configured from a semi-rigid material, include struts, scaffolding or support structure (not shown) to accomplish this purpose.

The outer peripheral surface 124 of the cuff 120 supports an electrode 125 therealong that is configured to act both as a support structure for maintaining the integrity of the cuff 120 when expanded and to act as one pole during a bipolar sealing process or a monopolar sealing process, as explained in more detail below. Moreover, the electrode 125 may be configured to produce a cutting current to cut tissue along the tissue seal after the sealing process is complete which is also explained in more detail below. As such, the electrode 125 is connected to the electrosurgical generator 500 by a lead 440 running through manipulator 100 and coupled to the generator 500.

Electrosurgical generator 500 may be a radiofrequency or high frequency type generator and include control elements that may, for example, increase the radiofrequency power output of electrodes 25 and/or 125 and control other operating parameters to regulate the sealing and/or cutting of cervical or uterine tissue. The generator may be operatively associated with one or more suitable controls or sensors (not shown) mounted to or operatively associated with the uterine manipulator 100 or uterine sealer 10 that monitor or control impedance, temperature, power, current, voltage, or other suitable output parameters. Electrosurgical generator 500 may include a display or screen therein or as a separate system for providing a display of parameters, such as temperature, impedance, power, current, or voltage of the radiofrequency output.

Moreover, generator 500 may include a first sealing algorithm that regulates, monitors or otherwise controls the sealing cycle and a second algorithm that regulates or controls the cutting cycle. More particularly, the generator 500 may include a first algorithm that controls electrode 25 and/or electrode 125 to regulate the electrosurgical energy to effect a tissue seal. Vessel sealing or tissue sealing utilizes a unique combination of radiofrequency energy, pressure and gap control to effectively seal or fuse tissue between two opposing sealing electrodes. Vessel or tissue sealing is more than “cauterization” that involves the use of heat to destroy tissue (also called “diathermy” or “electrodiathermy”). Vessel sealing is also more than “coagulation”, which is the process of desiccating tissue wherein the tissue cells are ruptured and dried. “Vessel sealing” is defined as the process of liquefying the collagen, elastin and ground substances in the tissue so that the tissue reforms into a fused mass with significantly-reduced demarcation between the opposing tissue structures.

The generator 500 also includes a second algorithm that controls one or both electrodes 25 and/or 125 to effect a tissue cut. For example, the tissue cut may be produced by one electrode, e.g., electrode 25, producing a first electrical potential having a cutting effect through the tissue which is returned by a return electrode 600 placed remotely under the patient skin (See FIG. 3E). Alternatively, electrode 125 may act as the return electrode when electrode 25 is the cutting electrode and produces a cutting effect. Alternatively, electrode 125 may also act as a cutting electrode and electrode 25 may also act as a return electrode or the generator may be configured to alternate between electrodes 25 and 125 during the cutting process to produce a particular cutting effect.

A safety switch or circuit (not shown) may be included with the generator 500 such that the electrodes 25 and 125 cannot activate to initiate a seal or a cut unless there is tissue disposed therebetween, e.g., a sensor (not shown) may be employed to determine if tissue is held therebetween. Obviously, this would insure proper placement of the sealer and the manipulator prior to activation.

FIGS. 3A-3E show an intended use of the uterine manipulator 100 and uterine sealer 10 during a laparoscopic hysterectomy or partial hysterectomy. More particularly, and as best shown in FIG. 3A, the cuff 120 of the uterine manipulator 100 is inserted into the vaginal cavity 310 in a collapsed configuration and manipulated into position to engage the opening 321 of the cervix 320. Once engaged, the cuff 120 of the manipulator 100 is inserted into the opening 321 of the cervix 320 and the handle 130 is rotated in the direction “R” to expand the cuff 120 in the direction “E” within the cervix 320 to exert internal pressure against the internal walls 324 of the cervix 320. Actuator 135 is then used to orient the cervix 320 into any desired position “M” about hinge 118 for cooperative engagement with sealer 10, as described below.

As shown in FIG. 3B, sealer 10 is inserted through a trocar 95 into a surgical cavity 80 made above the cervix 320 with the snare 20 in a collapsed configuration and then the snare 20 is expanded to encircle the cervix 320. The user then manipulates the sealer 10 to encircle the cervix 320. Actuator 40 is then activated to cinch snare 20 (e.g., reduce the diameter of snare 20) and engage cuff 120 with cervical tissue disposed between snare 20 and cuff 120. Prior to exerting the pressure required to produce a proper seal, the cuff 120 and snare 20 may be slid atop the cervix 320 to the proper or desired position or repositioned atop the cervix 320 by reducing the diameter of the cuff 120 or expanding the diameter of the snare 20. For example, the desired position may be at the vaginal-cervico junction, the utero-cervico junction, or other suitable location. Once the proper position is located for sealing purposes, the snare 20 is cinched in the direction “B” via actuator 40 against the internal pressure “E” of the cuff 120 and electrosurgical energy is applied to electrodes 25 and/or 125 of the snare 20 and cuff 120, respectively (See FIG. 3C).

Any suitable working pressure may be utilized; however, in one embodiment, a working pressure of about 3 kg/cm̂2 to about 16 kg/cm̂2 is utilized to effect a proper seal 355 (See FIG. 3D). The duration or activation time to effect a seal is dependent on the thickness of the cervical tissue 320 that may be measured by one or more suitable sensors not shown) coupled to the sealer 10 or the manipulator 100 or may be determined when a threshold impedance is reached (measured by the generator 500). It is important to note that the seal 355 (See FIG. 3E) may be created by activating both electrodes 25 and 125 in a bipolar fashion under the appropriate working pressure or alternatively by activating one electrode 25 or 125 and a remote return electrode (e.g., a return pad 600 (See FIG. 3E) in a monopolar fashion).

Once electrosurgical energy is applied to electrode 25 and 125 via generator 500 under the appropriate working pressure to produce seal 355, the cervical tissue 320 may be resected along the seal plane 355 either mechanically, electrically or electromechanically. For example, and as shown in FIG. 3E, the generator 500 may be configured to produce a cutting algorithm that generates a cutting current to one or both electrodes 25 and/or 125 to cut the tissue along the tissue seal 355 into two distinct sealed sections 355′ and 355″ with little or no bleeding.

The cutting current is typically a higher intensity current than the sealing current. In one particular embodiment, only one electrode, e.g., the smaller width electrode, which may be either 25 or 125 depending on a particular configuration, produces the cutting effect, while the other electrode acts as the return electrode.

In another embodiment, and as best shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, a uterine sealer 600 includes a snare having a mechanical cutter 625 disposed therein. More particularly, sealer 600 acts in a similar fashion as sealer 10 and includes shaft 612 having handle 630 and actuator 640 that operates snare 620 to cinch tissue for laparoscopic hysterectomies. An electrode 625 is disposed along the inner peripheral surface 622 of snare 620 and is selectively activatable to seal tissue to create a tissue seal 355 in much the same fashion as described above with respect to FIGS. 3A-3E. Electrode 625 includes a sharpened distal edge 626 that during the sealing cycle and under the working sealing pressure remains recessed beneath the inner working surface of the snare 620, as best shown in FIG. 4C.

During the cutting phase of the laparoscopic hysterectomy, the surgeon exerts a greater cinching pressure beyond the working pressure that causes the sharpened edge 626 of the electrode 625 to pierce the inner working surface 622 of the snare 620 in the direction of arrows “C” and cut the cervical tissue 320 along the seal 355 (See FIG. 4D). In an alternative embodiment, the electrode 625 may be electrified to facilitate cutting the cervical tissue 320 depending upon a particular surgical purpose.

FIG. 5 shows an alternate embodiment of a uterine sealer 700 having an electrical sealing and/or cutting electrode 725 for use with a snare 720. The snare 720 includes an insulator 727 disposed on either side of the electrode 725 thereby separating the inner peripheral surface into rings 722 a and 722 b. The insulator 727 is configured to isolate electrosurgical current during the sealing and cutting stages to enhance the electrosurgical effect on the cervical tissue 320.

The present disclosure also relates to a method of performing a laparoscopic hysterectomy (partial or otherwise) and includes the initial step of providing a uterine manipulator 100 having a shaft 112 including a handle 130 at a proximal end thereof operable by a user and an operating end 120 at a distal end thereof manipulatable by the handle 130 to orient and position tissue.

The method also includes the steps of providing a uterine sealer 10 including a shaft 12 having a handle 30 disposed at a proximal end thereof and a ring-like snare 20 disposed at a distal end thereof, the handle 30 including an actuator 40 operably associated therewith which selectively cinches and expands the diameter of the snare 20. The uterine manipulator 100 and/or the uterine sealer 10 include one or more electrodes 125, 25, respectively, disposed at the distal end thereof that are configured to cooperate to seal tissue, as explained in more detail below.

The method also includes the steps of: inserting the uterine manipulator 100 into a body cavity 310 to engage and manipulate tissue 320 and inserting the uterine sealer 10 into a second body cavity 80 to encircle the tissue 320 being manipulated by the uterine manipulator 100. Further, the method includes the steps of: activating the actuator 40 to cinch the snare 20 to engage tissue 320 between the distal end of the uterine manipulator 100 and the snare 20 under a working pressure of about 3 kg/cm̂2 to about 16 kg/cm̂2; energizing the electrode(s) 125 and/or 25 to seal tissue disposed between the distal end of the uterine manipulator 100 and the snare 20; and resecting the tissue 320 along the tissue seal 355 and removing the resected tissue 320′ from the body cavity 80.

Both the uterine sealer 10 and the uterine manipulator 100 may include electrodes 25 and 125, respectively, that mutually cooperate in a bipolar fashion to seal tissue. The method may further include the step of manipulating the uterine sealer 700 and/or the uterine manipulator 100 to resect tissue along the tissue seal by energizing a cutting electrode 725 disposed on the uterine sealer 700 and/or uterine manipulator 100 or mechanically deploying a tissue cutter 625 to resect tissue along the tissue seal.

The present disclosure also relates to a method for performing a laparoscopic hysterectomy including the steps of providing a uterine manipulator 100 having a shaft 112 having a handle 130 at a proximal end thereof operable by a user and an operating end or cuff 120 at a distal end thereof manipulatable by the handle 110 to orient and position tissue. The method also includes the steps of providing a uterine sealer 600 having a shaft 612 with a handle 630 disposed at a proximal end thereof and a ring-like snare 620 disposed at a distal end thereof. The handle 630 includes an actuator 640 operably associated therewith which selectively cinches and expands the diameter of the snare 620. The uterine sealer 610 includes an electrode 625 disposed at the distal end thereof with a sharpened cutting edge 626.

The method further includes the steps of inserting the uterine manipulator 100 into a body cavity 310 to engage and manipulate tissue 320 and inserting the uterine sealer 600 into a second body cavity 80 to encircle the tissue 320 that is being manipulated by the uterine manipulator 100. The method further includes the steps of: activating the actuator 640 to cinch the snare 640 to engage tissue 320 between the distal end of the uterine manipulator 100 and the snare 640 under a sealing pressure and energizing the electrode 625 to seal tissue 320 disposed between the distal end 120 of the uterine manipulator 100 and the snare 620; further cinching the snare 620 of the uterine sealer 600 beyond the sealing pressure (e.g., about 16 kg/cm̂2) to deploy the sharpened edge 626 of the electrode 625 to resect uterine tissue 320; and removing the resected tissue 320′ from the body cavity 80.

From the foregoing and with reference to the various figure drawings, those skilled in the art will appreciate that certain modifications can also be made to the present disclosure without departing from the scope of the same. For example, variations in the choice of electrical output parameters from the electrosurgical generator 500 to control or monitor the sealing and cutting processes may vary widely depending on the operator's experience, technique, or preference.

Moreover, certain aspects of the sealing process may be automatically controlled and regulated by the generator, e.g., the, current, voltage, duration, and other output parameters to optimize the sealing process and produce a reliable and effective tissue seal. Still further, the generator may control certain aspects of the cutting process and may selectively regulate the cutting electrodes to optimize the cutting effect depending on tissue type, tissue thickness, type of surgical procedure or desired surgical effect.

It is contemplated that the uterine sealer 10, 600, 700 may be equipped with both the sealing and cutting electrodes and, as a result, may be utilized with any conventional uterine manipulator 100 and achieve the same desired surgical effect as described herein above. In this instance, it may be necessary to utilize one or more return electrodes (not shown) that operably couple to the generator 500 for the sealing and/or cutting processes. In one embodiment, the shaft 12 and/or 112 of the sealer 10 and/or the manipulator 100, respectively, may be telescopically adjustable to facilitate positioning relative to one or more internal organs.

While various embodiments of the disclosure have been described, it is not intended that the disclosure be limited thereto, as it is intended that the disclosure be as broad in scope as the art will allow and that the specification be read likewise. Therefore, the above descriptions should not be construed as limiting, but merely as exemplifications of particular embodiments. Those skilled in the art will envision other modifications within the scope and spirit of the claims appended hereto. 

1. A method for performing a hysterectomy comprising the steps of: advancing a first uterine instrument into a body cavity; advancing a second uterine instrument into a second body cavity, the second uterine instrument having a capturing feature configured to capture tissue; capturing the tissue between an operating end of the first uterine instrument and the capturing feature of the second uterine instrument; energizing an electrode associated with at least one of the first and second uterine instruments to form a tissue seal; and resecting the tissue along the tissue seal.
 2. The method according to claim 1 wherein the tissue is engaged between the operating end of the first uterine instrument and the capturing feature of the second uterine instrument under a working pressure of about 3 kg/cm̂2 to about 16 kg/cm̂2.
 3. The method according to claim 1 wherein the second uterine instrument includes the electrode, the electrode configured to cooperate with a return electrode located remotely from the operating cavities to seal tissue.
 4. The method according to claim 1 wherein the first uterine instrument includes a first electrode and the second uterine instrument includes a second electrode, the first and second electrodes mutually cooperating in a bipolar fashion to seal tissue.
 5. The method according to claim 1 wherein the step of resecting the tissue along the tissue seal includes the step of: further manipulating at least one of the first and second uterine instruments to resect tissue along the tissue seal.
 6. The method according to claim 5 wherein the step of further manipulating at least one of the first and second uterine instruments to resect tissue along the tissue seal includes energizing a cutting electrode disposed on one of the first and second uterine instruments.
 7. The method according to claim 6 wherein the step of further manipulating at least one of the first and second uterine instruments to resect tissue along the tissue seal includes mechanically deploying a tissue cutter to resect tissue along the tissue seal.
 8. The method according to claim 1 further comprising the steps of: adjusting the capturing feature of the second uterine instrument to engage the tissue between the operating end of the first uterine instrument and the capturing feature of the second uterine instrument under a sealing pressure; energizing the electrode associated with at least one of the first and second uterine instruments to seal tissue disposed between the first uterine instrument and the capturing feature of the second uterine instrument, the electrode including a sharpened edge; and further adjusting the capturing feature of the second uterine instrument beyond the sealing pressure to deploy the sharpened edge of the electrode to resect the tissue.
 9. The method according to claim 8 wherein the sealing pressure is about 3 kg/cm̂2 to about 16 kg/cm̂2.
 10. The method according to claim 8 wherein the second uterine instrument includes an inner peripheral surface that includes the electrode recessed therein, the electrode of the second uterine instrument being selectively deployable beyond the inner peripheral surface to resect tissue.
 11. The method according to claim 10 wherein the electrode of the second uterine instrument is energized during the step of further adjusting the capturing feature of the second uterine instrument to facilitate resecting the tissue.
 12. A uterine sealer for use with an operating end of an independent uterine instrument for sealing uterine tissue, comprising: a shaft having a handle at an operating end thereof and a capturing feature at a distal end thereof, the handle including an actuator operable to selectively adjust the capturing feature between first and second configurations; and an electrode operably coupled to the capturing feature, the electrode adapted to connect to an electrical energy source to energize uterine tissue to create a tissue seal; wherein the shaft is selectively positionable within a surgical cavity such that the capturing feature captures uterine tissue and operably engages the operating end of the independent uterine instrument under a sealing pressure while electrosurgical energy is applied to the electrode to seal the uterine tissue disposed between the independent uterine instrument and the capturing feature of the uterine sealer.
 13. The uterine sealer according to claim 12 wherein the uterine sealer includes a second electrode that is adapted to connect to the electrical energy source, the second electrode of the uterine sealer being energized after the completion of the uterine tissue seal to resect the uterine tissue along the tissue seal.
 14. The uterine sealer according to claim 13 wherein the electrode of the uterine sealer is further energized after the completion of the uterine tissue seal to resect the uterine tissue along the uterine tissue seal.
 15. The uterine sealer according to claim 13 wherein the capturing feature includes a ring-like snare, and wherein the electrode of the uterine sealer is recessed within an inner peripheral surface of the ring-like snare and includes a cutting edge that deploys when the ring-like snare is cinched beyond a predetermined sealing pressure.
 16. The uterine sealer according to claim 15 wherein the sealing pressure is about 3 kg/cm̂2 to about 16 kg/cm̂2.
 17. A system for performing a laparoscopic hysterectomy, comprising: a first uterine instrument configured for insertion into a body cavity and configured to operatively engage uterine tissue; a second uterine instrument configured for insertion into a second body cavity, the second uterine instrument including a capturing feature that is selectively adjustable to capture uterine tissue between the first uterine instrument and the second uterine instrument; and wherein at least one of the first and second uterine instruments includes an electrode adapted to couple to an electrosurgical generator, the generator being selectively energizable to at least one of seal and resect tissue disposed between the first uterine instrument and the second uterine instrument.
 18. The system according to claim 17 wherein the tissue disposed between the first uterine instrument and the second uterine instrument is engaged under a working pressure of about 3 kg/cm̂2 to about 16 kg/cm̂2 which effectively seals the tissue upon activation of the electrode of at least one of the first uterine instrument and the second uterine instrument.
 19. The system according to claim 17, wherein the capturing feature includes a ring-like snare with a selectively adjustable diameter. 